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Western Blot vs Herpeselect test results

I had a Western Blot test about 4 years ago.  The result was HSV 1 positive and HSV 2 negative.  In 3/2005 I had a test at my gyn office and results are  HSV 1 IgG Ab (PAML) 0.72 and HSV 2 IgG Ab (PAML) 0.44  There is a note on the results saying "This test was performed with HSV Type Specific assays that utilize HSV I Glycoprotein gG 1 of HSV II  Glycoprotein gG 2 recombinant antigens.  I am wondering which to believe?  I get bumps, tingling (very sporadic short, lasting only seconds most times) numbness, warmth in lower right area between buttock and labia area.  My dr thinks I have a lot of cyst problems, hormonally related. No ulcers or blisters that I can find.  I also get painful pimple type things on my inner thighs and bad folliculitis on my buttocks currently controlled with Minocin. I also get tender with a swollen feeling all along my underwear line.  I also have a lot of weird pain after climaxing in the right labia, vagina area.  I have had 3 blood clots in 13 years the last two being in my right leg.  All this started after a lump on my left labia and then nothing until after my son was born.I just don't know what to think anymore.  I don't know that I have ever had a cold sore.  my husband seemed to get cold sores, but the dr said it could be hives.  He was tested for Herpes but I don't know which test was used.  I do get sores in my mouth so do my husband and children.  I was a very promiscuous girl and did make a tragic mistake at the beginning of my marriage with unprotected oral to and from someone.  I just worry for my son who was born after the bad incident.  I am so scared for him and that I ruined his life.  Please help me work this out.  I am starting to feel like a hypochondriac.  I have had neg and positive tests to type II in Africa, but my dr says don't worry about tests done in Africa she wouldn't bet on anything tested there.  I have been married for 12 years and my husband is fully aware of this situation.  The only thing he ever had on his penis was the weirdest occurance after back surgery.  It was almost like they had put velcro on his penis and it was rubbed.  The skin peeled off and it didn't even hurt no symptoms, no pain.  He was still in the hospital but didn't want to tell the dr.  I don't know if they strap you down for surgery over in Africa!  I am physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually exhausted.  I am sometimes at the end of my rope.  I am a Christian and know I am forgiven, but psychologically I am suffering still.  Please can you give me some answers?  I am sorry this is so long, but will appreciate any answer you can give me.  What is PAML and should I go and request a Herpeselect if it wasn't done or just get both of us a Western Blot?  My husband is from Africa so they really worry about anyone finding out he is testing for anything since he is still only a perm resident.  Thank you so much.  I value your opinion.
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Avatar universal
A related discussion, IgG vs. western blot for a retest for hsv was started.
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239123 tn?1267647614
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Confused is right; I missed the HSV-1 WB result.  The best way to sort it out is to request another WB test.  Most likely you indeed have HSV-1 that was missed by the most recent test - but it may depend in part on what lab did the Western blot; WBs can be misread by inexperienced lab personnel.

In any case, the symptoms and course of events you describe do not particularly suggest herpes; the large majority of HSV-1 infections are oral, not genital; and genital HSV-1 infection usually does not cause frequently recurrent symptoms.  So regardless of the HSV-1 result, it seems unlikely it has anything to do with your or your husband's symptoms.

Sorry for the confuesion.  Thanks again to C_A for picking it up.

HHH, MD
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Avatar universal
I beleive he is asking about HSV-1, which was positive then negative. HSV-1 is a very common virus and no need to really worry about.
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239123 tn?1267647614
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I'm not sure I understand your question, unless you are confused and don't understand the lab report.  Your recent type-specific result is negative for both HSV-1 and HSV-2, confirming the negative Western blot 4 years ago.  (All tests based on glyprotein G are type specific; I'm not familiar with the name "PAML", but the result you describe is what you would expect with HerpeSelect.)

The bottom line is that whatever is going on with you, and probably with your husband, is not genital herpes.

Best wishes--  HHH, MD
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